The Life of the Bee 



much further, and in the first stage lead 

 the swarm to a considerable distance from 

 the hive. The conduct of these second 

 and third migrations will be far more rash, 

 and their future more problematical. The 

 queen at their head, the representative of 

 the future, has not yet been impregnated. 

 Their entire destiny depends on the ensu- 

 ing nuptial flight. A passing bird, a few 

 drops of rain, a mistake, a cold wind — 

 any one of these may give rise to irreme- 

 diable disaster. Of this the bees are so 

 well aware that when the young queen 

 sallies forth in quest of her lover, they 

 often will abandon the labours they have 

 begun, will forsake the home of a day that 

 already is dear to them, and accompany 

 her in a body, dreading to let her pass 

 out of their sight, eager, as they form 

 closely around her, and shelter her be- 

 neath their myriad devoted wings, to lose 

 themselves with her, should love cause 

 264 



